I wasn’t a big fan of the pacing in this book. I thought it would take longer for Cassie to discover who the earl was but it only lasted a couple of chapters. Then I thought it would take longer for them to find the truth about what happened to his sister but that was resolved a lot earlier than I expected as well. I also didn’t buy into the romance portion of the book as much as I would have liked. Cassie held onto her childhood infatuation for a long time and it made her appear childish at times and I didn’t feel the sexual tension between her and the earl as much as I expect the author intended.

New-to-me-author Elizabeth Keysian charmed my socks off with Unmasking The Earl. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cassie and Ned. Cassie was hilarious. In spite of how smart and perceptive she was, she seemed to make choices at times that were risky yet she always managed to land on her feet. Ned was adorable. He endured a lot for the sake of Cassie. I loved his devotion to finding his sister and to protecting Cassie. The latter often got him into some of the funniest predicaments. The sparks really flew as these two collided and bantered their way to love.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Keysian’s writing style. This story was humorous and even silly at times without sacrificing genuine emotion, great character development, and an imaginative plot. This was a sweet, funny, and totally romantic read and I can’t wait for more of this series.


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This is the second story in Wayward in Wessex series and not reading the first story, I can safely say that I had no trouble following this one. I don’t think it’s necessary for you to read the first one either in order to understand the goings on in here.

If you love lighthearted and romp romances, this one will fit the bill to a tee! There’s a lot going on here with lots and lots of characters that are fun and funny. I enjoyed the characterization of both leads and their interaction was fun. I also found the setting of the countryside appealing and refreshing.

This is a perfect story to lighten the rainy day afternoon.

Melanie for b2b

This was my 1st book by this author but it sure won't be the last. I feel in love with the characters from the start. I loved the spirit of family that Ned believed in where he would go undercover despite his rank to find his missing sister. I also loved the spunk that Cassandra brought to the story and often found myself laughing out loud. Great story.

Unfortunately awkward and not really for me. Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy though!

I have to say that Unmasking the Earl was an interesting read. Cassie's kind of silly. Some the things she does to try to get the guy she's "in love" attention. At least she has one friend who was like dude you need to look at other options, because I don't think he's all that into you. However, she's a stubborn chit. However, she's also tenacious, and fearless in some aspect.

Now Ned. He's in big brother mode. I didn't mind him being a jerk at times, he was looking out for Cassie even though she didn't see it that way. He did make some excellent points to Cassie. All he wanted to do was find his sister.

Overall, Unmasking the Earl was an all right read. There some silliness to the story with Cassie being to stubborn to realize she was being kind of dumb in some the situations she puts herself in. I did like Cassie and Ned together, because they balance one another out. She's a bit impulsive and he need someone like her to help him.

Copy provided by Entangled via NetGalley

Fantastic; a comedy of manners with flashes of seriousness and depth. Following the likeable characters through this story felt like watching a light opera. I loved the author’s period-appropriate use of colloquialisms and metaphor. Keysian wove them into the story in ways that felt completely natural.

Early in the novel, both the heroine and the hero sometimes behave in ways (class snobbery and sexism) that are repellent to modern society, but are entirely natural for their times. No one would have questioned the way that the heroine dismisses romantic possibilities with the servant played by the disguised Earl. That she’s attracted to him despite his presumed status only heightens the considerable sexual tension. Although the hero develops some empathy for the servant class, he’s no social reformer. This, too feels realistic. When the heroine makes some errors in judgment by asking a noted rake to offer her lessons in seduction, she is believably naive in a way fitting young women of her class and family situation. Such characterization works because of Keysian’s ability to show, not tell, how social restrictions would have shaped a woman of her age and moderately advantaged status.

The author’s plotting, research, and engaging style produce a satisfying story. I appreciated her humor, attention to research, and the frank acknowledgement of the way women’s social currency was controlled by beauty and wealth. All of this combines to make a balanced, enjoyable historical romance that will make readers seek out more work by this writer. Recommended for romance genre fans that like a bit of sly humor.

I LOVED the heroine of this book. Cassie was full of sass and bravery, occasionally reckless but never stupid. Yes, her decision to ask a notorious rake to teach her how to seduce a man might seem a little on the dimwitted side, but she really is desperate.

Cassie is in love with her childhood friend Julian, who unfortunately views her as his aggravating little sister. Desperate to get his attention, she is willing to try any means necessary.

I started the book thinking 'yeah, yeah, I've read this one before... she winds up falling for the rake and reforming him' and then the book threw a complete curve ball, because that's not what happens AT ALL. Said rake's manservant Ned Ganstridge appears bound and determined to stop Cassie from getting herself into a scrape she can't get out of, and really, he is awfully bossy for a servant... as well as far too handsome for his own good.

Of course, Ned turns out to be the titular Earl, masquerading as a servant to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his sister. Cassie is a distraction he doesn't need, but he can't just leave her to ruination. For her own good, he has to help her out. Falling for her really wasn't part of his plan.

I really enjoyed Unmasking The Earl. Ned can be autocratic, but the worst of his excesses are actually understandable when you bear in mind his anxiety about his sister, and Cassie didn't just meekly sit back and take his orders. One of my favourite scenes was when Ned desperately needed her help and Cassie quite firmly laid down the law and told him that she'd leave him in the mess of his own making if he didn't behave himself. I just about applauded.

However, the book did fall into a trap I particularly hate in historicals; when the supposedly 'honourable' hero takes the innocent heroine's virginity before proposing marriage, and then fails to immediately do so. That is not honourable. It doesn't fit the definition, and it made Ned look like a massive hypocrite. Because of that, I can't give the book any more than four stars.

This book started off great and continued on through the book. The characters had immediate chemistry that made you want to turn the page.

Edmund Talbot, the Earl of Stranraer is devastated by his sister’s disappearance and plans to go to any lengths to find the notorious rogue responsible. He feels Captain Francis Wycherley knows something about his sister and he enters household incognito as a servant, Ganstridge, to wreak his vengeance on him. Cassandra Blythe is in love with Julian, her childhood friend, but he doesn’t seem to notice her so who better to teach the art of seduction than the notorious rake, Captain Wycherley. Ganstridge keeps intruding Cassie’s lessons he shows up at inauspicious moments to spoil her lessons in love with warnings of her imminent ruin. She knows she loves Julian, but she’s is blindsided by her body's thrilling response to the wrong man. Cassie discoveries who Ganstridge the servant really is and she decides to help Ned, the Earl of Stranraer’s uncover the mystery surrounding, sister’s disappearance, but only if he abandons his vow to destroy his enemy. The book is humorous, intriguing with a mystery to solve as two head strong people fight their mutual attraction and sexual tension to find their HEA!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher.

Let me start by saying I loved Ms. Keysian's first book, Distracting the Duke. I found the writing witting and entertaining. I am not making the same connection with Unmasking the Earl. The plot is plausible, but the heroine is a nitwit. Cassie's actions do not fit with what I would picture a heroine as being - intelligent, clear thinking, independent and able to take care of herself. And, Ned just seems taken by her beauty and all that bronze hair. I just do not see the woman I view as a heroine placing herself in the home of a known rake. I am so sorry to be so negative.
And the reasons for Wycherley's amorous pursuits - that is not love. Love is staying by the woman your love until she believes you and trusts you and doesn't blindly accept you tapping anything in skirts so you can tell her about it! He is reminiscent of an ass. Not even Julien's acceptance of Lady Lucy being enamored of Wycherley makes sense to me.
Ms. Keysian, please forgive my lack of understanding for this story as I realize I may be being to picky. Because I do not believe in downgrading a book publicly, I will not be placing a review on Amazon. I believe this book may be very appealing to others.
I do thank you for the opportunity to read it and for allowing me to be honest in my review.

Miss Cassandra Blythe is most distressed that man who she has loved since she was a child, only looks at her as a sister. She must do something to make him notice her.
Lord Edmund Talbot, the Earl of Stranraer is searching for his sister who vanished several months before. The only clue he has is the name of a well known libertine.
This is a wonderful, crazy adventure. Our mischievous heroine risks all for love, and our bullheaded hero has a problem controlling his temper. Lots of fun and a little mystery to solve. The final scene in particular was vastly entertaining.
I loved ever page.

Awesome read. This book started out slow but stick with it and it will be worth it. I enjoyed the twists and turns this book took. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this story and did not feel I was missing anything by not reading the first book in the se­ries.

Cassie is in love wi­th a childhood friend and thinks to catch his eye is to learn how to seduce a ma­n. She begins to see a notorious rake for seduction lessons, but soon realizes the man who makes her heart beat faster is a servant. When she finds out that the servant is actually the missing Earl of Stranraer she is de­termined to help him find his missing si­ster.

Cassie was a fun her­oine to read along her journey of finding love. Ned was perf­ect for her, even th­ough it took them a while to realize it! I was not disappoin­ted by this book at all!

Cassie has her hands full: She thinks she is in love with man #1 (Julian), thinks man #2 (the Captain) can teach her how to seduce man #1 (Julian), and finds herself fighting the chemistry with man #3 (Ned), who is the presumed servant of man #2 (the Captain).

Ned (man #3) is working undercover as a servant in the household of the Captain (man #2), because he feels like he may have had something to do with the disappearance of his beloved sister. Now: Enter Cassie and her unconventional notions, and let the fireworks begin!

This book was a combination of all the best things in a storyline: romance, suspense, mystery, unexpected chemistry, humorous banter, quirky characters and sparks galore all rolled into a wonderfully-written tale with a distinctively-historical flavor and Regency feel combined.

Even though this is the second novel in the Wayward in Wessex series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand alone. I am eagerly looking forward to the next offering from the uber-talented Keysian!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

Unmasking the Earl by Elizabeth Keysian is Book 2 of the Wayward in Wessex Series.

A delightful read with interesting and engaging characters; you will be captivated and quickly pulled into this story. Heat index is about a 2 but that’s not saying the characters don’t have a plenty of chemistry between the two of them. It was a very refreshing change and made it that much more enjoyable.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

Ned, the Earl of Stranraer, takes a position as a servant in the house of Captain Francis Wycherley, the man he believes was in a secret relationship with his sister before she disappeared during a fire months ago, in order to try to find out what happened to his sister.
Cassie Blythe has been in love with a childhood friend Julian, but he has taken no romantic interest in her, so Cassie seeks out the Captain to get advice on capturing Julian's notice. However, during her lessons from the Captain, she begins to feel an attraction to the insubordination servant who acts in a protective manner towards her.

The story relies on the aristocrat disguised as a servant trope, but it does it very well and it doesn't overdue it. There is witty banter between the main characters, several humorous interactions when different sets of characters interact, as well as a mild level of mystery. I found the story quickly pulled the reader along, and was an enjoyable read.

I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I've read by Ms. Keysian and I'm on the fence about it. I felt in Ms. Keysian's attempt to make Edmund Talbot's passion for Cassie seem bottomless, she ended up making him seem more frightening instead. For a gently bred woman like Cassie who had no brothers who rough housed around her, Ned's explosive fury would have been scary. I've read lots of Regency romances and have never seen a gentlemen act this way.

I did love the plot of this story. It was inventive and the writing was well done. However, too many of Edmund's actions seemed too much over the top especially at the Duke's ball.

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Ned and Cassandra had a fun chemistry to read about and her teachings in the art of seduction but I felt it was very slow paced and hard to keep my attention.

the second book in the wayward in wessex series, unmasking the earl, follows miss cassandra blythe and her quest to get her childhood crush, julian carnforth, to notice her as a woman instead of the little sister he treats her like. after joining forces with captain francis wycherly to prevent julian and captain wycherly's current lover from indulging in a dalliance, cassie has the idea that wycherly might be the perfect person to help her attract julian's attentions.

if only his pesky manservant, ned ganstridge weren't around all the time and interrupting at the most inopportune moments. the thing is, cassie can't stop thinking about him. she's never felt this odd magnetic attraction with anyone. and suddenly she finds that she has to work hard to remember that she wants to kiss julian, because ned is all she thinks about.

but ned isn't really a lowly manservant. he's on a quest to discover the whereabouts of his missing sister and he believes that wycherly is connected to it somehow. and considering his opinion of wycherly, he is doing his best to protect cassie without blowing his cover.

but because he can't stop himself from interfering, it's only a matter of time before cassie learns who he is, and what he is up to. and then she can't stop herself from getting involved.

the chemistry between cassie and ned is intense. whenever they are in the same scene together they can't stay apart from each other. and it's only a matter of time before cassie admits that she may not be as in love with julian as she thought she was. cassie and ned just need to stop focusing on the nonsense around them and start communicating with one another honestly.